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The Rattrap
The Rattrap
The stranger saw that the ironmaster felt he had been deceived. He told him that he was not at fault. He had never pretended to be a friend. Besides he was willing to put on his rags and go away. What did the package left behind by the stranger for Edla contain? The present the stranger left for Edla contained a rattrap. She was glad to see that three wrinkled ten Kronor notes were lying inside the trap. There was a letter also for her. Why did the peddler think he himself had been caught in a rattrap? The peddler was lured to steal the old mans money. It served as bait. Because of this he went into the forest. There the forest with its trunks, branches, and thickets trapped him like a mousetrap. How was the peddler received at the cottage by the roadside? The old man who opened the door welcomed the peddler. The man was all alone and wanted someone for company. He gave the peddler his supper and tobacco. He played cards with him before going to bed What idea suddenly struck in the mind of the rattrap peddler? One day the peddler was moving along the road suddenly an idea struck to his mind. He viewed that the whole world was a big rattrap to trap the people in. It offered, riches, joys, shelter, food, heat and clothing like the rattrap offered cheese and pork to tempt to the rats. The world existed only to set baits for the people. Anyone who was tempted to touch the bait, the rattrap was closed in on him. Who was Crofter and how did he welcome the peddler? The Crofter was an old man, who lived alone in his house. One dark evening when the peddler knocked at the door of the Crofter. He was very hospitable person and offered him supper and bed to sleep He amused him with the game of mjolis. He told the fact that he earned thirty kronor by selling the milk of his cow. How did the peddler rob the crofter? The Crofter was living alone in his house. So, he needed someone to talk in his loneliness. That time the peddler reached at his house. He welcomed him. The crofter had taken out and stuffed thirty kronor in the presence of the peddler. Both left in the morning. After half an hour, the peddler returned, smashed the window pane and stole thirty kronor from the pouch and hung it on its usual place. When the ironmaster threatened to call the Sheriff, how did the peddler conduct? The peddler defended himself that he was a poor man. He said that the whole world is nothing but a big rattrap. All the good things that are offered to him were just baits. The baits were set out to drag a poor man into trouble. In case the Sheriff came to lock him up, the day was not far when the ironmaster would be trapped him. What was the peddlers philosophy about rattrap? Why did it amuse him? The peddlers philosophy was that the whole world is a rattrap with several baits in it. As one is tempted to bait and touches it the door is closed and everything comes to an end like in a rattrap. The thought amused him because he has so far been selling rattrap; but not fallen in this worlds rattrap
What kind of host was the old crofter? The old crofter was an affectionate and generous host. He warmly welcomed the peddler as he got someone to talk to in his loneliness. He served him porridge for his supper and offered a pipe with tobacco roll to smoke and finally played with him mjolis till bedtime. The readers sympathy is with the peddler right from the beginning? Is it justified? Give reasons. The rattrap peddler draws readers sympathy because of his poverty. The authors description of his clothes and appearance like his clothes are in rags, his cheeks are sunken and hunger gleams his eyes and his resorting to begging and petty thievery to keep his body and soul together evoke readers sympathy Who do you think was at fault-the ironmaster or the peddler? Give two reasons. I think the ironmaster was at fault because it was he who invited the tramp to his house for the Christmas thinking him to be his old acquaintance; but on knowing he was not his acquaintance he could not oppose his daughters decision to offer him Christmas cheer. Why was the peddler grateful to the ironmaster and his daughter? The peddler was grateful to the ironmaster and his daughter as they empowered him to release himself from the worlds rattrap through their selfless hospitality, love, sympathy, compassion, and understanding. From where did the peddler get the ideas of the world being a rattrap? The tramp went around selling small rattraps made of scrap wire. One day he was struck by the idea that the whole world was nothing but a big rattrap. It existed only to set baits for people. It offered riches and joys, shelter and food, heat and clothing in the same manner as the rattrap offered cheese. As soon as someone let himself be tempted to touch the bait, it closed in on him and then everything came to an end. Why was he amused at this idea? His own life was sad and monotonous. He was a vagabond, lonely and isolated from any family life. The world had treated him harshly. So it gave him some joy to think of the world this way. It becomes a pastime for him to think of people letting themselves being caught in the dangerous trap of others who are still circling around the bait. Did the rattrap maker expect the kind of hospitality that he received from the crofter? The peddler was surprised at the kind of hospitality that he received at the crofters home. He was invited inside with a smile and he was made to feel quite welcome instead of the usual hostile and sour faces that he met. He was served hot porridge for supper and the crofter shared his pipe tobacco with him. They also played a game of cards. Thus the tramp was treated well by the crofter. What made the man think that he had fallen into a rattrap? After stealing the money from the crofter, the tramp turned into the forest. He wanted to avoid walking on the road. Confused and disoriented by the trees in the forest and the narrow twisting paths made him realize that he was lost. Tired and cold, he lay down in despair feeling that the forest had transformed into a rattrap. He felt guilty as if he was caught by the bait.
Did the peddler respect the confidence reposed in him by the crofter? The peddler betrayed the trust that the crofter had on him by breaking the window pane and removing the thirty kronors from the leather pouch. He had seen the crofter keeping the money in the pouch and hanging it on a nail near the window frame. What made the peddler think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap? After having stolen thirty kronors from the crofter, the peddler realized that he could not walk on the public highway and so he turned off the road into the woods. It was a big and confusing forest and the paths twisted back and forth. He walked without coming to the end of the wood and finally realised that he had been walking around in the same part of the forest. Recalling his thoughts about the world, and the rattrap he realised that he had let himself to be fooled by bait and had been caught. Why did the iron master speak kindly to the peddler and invite him home? The ironmaster mistook the shabby, dirty looking peddler to be a captain from the regiment to which the ironmaster belonged when he was in the army. He was full of sympathy for a fellow army officer and insisted that he should come to his house. Why did the peddler decline the invitation of the ironmaster? The peddler was aware of the fact that the ironmaster had extended an invitation to his comrade, Captain Von Stahle. He also knew that after stealing the crofters money, he was at a risk of getting caught. So, he declined the invitation. Though the peddler declined the ironmasters invitation why did he accept Edlas invitation? OR What made the peddler accept Edla Willmanssons invitation? Edlas ability to persuade and convince the peddler to stay on made him accept the invitation. She was compassionate and friendly. She asked him not to be afraid and assured him that he could go away freely after Christmas dinner. She begged him to join them for Christmas. Her sincerity and friendly nature made the peddler accept the invitation. What doubts did Edla have about the peddler? Just as Edla lifted the peddlers hat he jumped up abruptly and seemed to be quite frightened. Her kind looks, her compassionate and friendly nature was unable to calm him. She thought that it looked as if he had stolen something or had escaped from jail. When did the iron master realize his mistake? The iron master realised his mistake when he met the stranger the next morning. The valet had bathed him, cut his hair and shaved him. Moreover, he was dressed in a suit which belonged to the iron master. He wore a white shirt, a starched collar and whole shoes. When the iron master saw him in broad daylight it was impossible to mistake him for an old acquaintance now. The iron master threatened to hand him over to the sheriff. How did the peddler defend himself against not having revealed his true identity? The peddler explained that he had no pretensions regarding his true identity. He was not at fault. All along he had maintained that he was a poor trader. He had requested to be allowed to stay alone. He was willing to put on his rags again and go away. Why did Edla still entertain the peddler even after she knew the truth about him?
Edla did not think it proper to chase away a human being whom they had invited to their house and had promised him Christmas cheer. She understood the reality of the peddlers life and wanted him to enjoy a day with them. Hence she still entertained the peddler even after knowing the truth about him. Why was Edla happy to see the gift left by the peddler? Edla was happy to see the gift left by the peddler. It was a small rattrap in which lay three wrinkled ten kronor notes. There was also a letter written in a large jagged handwriting, a confession made by the peddler. He did not want to embarrass her at this Christmas season. Why did the peddler sign himself as Captain Von Stahle? The iron master had invited the peddler to his house mistaking him for Captain Von Stahle. He was welcomed there and looked after as a Captain, even after the reality became known. The peddler got a chance to redeem himself from dishonest ways by acting as an honourable Captain. He did so by gifting Edla a small rattrap with three wrinkled ten kronor notes and a letter saying that he did not want her to be embarrassed this Christmas season by a thief and he wanted to be nice to her as if he were a real Captain. The next day both men got up in good season. Why? Who are the men and what did they do after getting up? The two men are the old crofter and the rattrap peddler. The crofter got up early in the morning to milk his cow. His guest also wanted to get up because the host was up. Both left the cottage at the same time. The crofter locked the door and put the key in his pocket. Thereafter, they both bade each other goodbye and went their own way. How did the peddler feel after robbing the crofter? Why did he discontinue walking on the public highway? The peddler after having stolen the money, felt pleased with himself. Then he realised the danger of being caught by the police if he chose to go on the highway. Hence, he decided to continue his journey through the dense woods to avoid getting caught. Why did the blacksmith fail to notice the entry of the peddler in the forge? The forge was a noisy place. The big bellows groaned and the burning coal made cracking sounds. The fire boy was shovelling charcoal into the furnace noisily. A waterfall roared outside. Sharp north wind made the rain strike the brick-tiled roof. Hence the blacksmith did not notice the peddler entering the forge. What two plans did the iron master reveal to his daughter at the breakfast on Christmas Eve? How did the daughter react? The iron master firstly decided that the old regimental comrade (the peddler) had to gain some flesh on his bones. Then he must choose a different profession and not run around the country selling rattraps. The daughter reacted by saying that there was no indication to show that he had once been an educated man. What made the peddler to think that he had indeed fallen into a rattrap? The peddler had stolen the crofters money and was happy. He turned off to the road leading into the woods. He was lost in it, He recalled his thought about the world and the rattrap .He was also attracted towards the bait at crofters house so he realized that he had fallen in a rattrap. Which act of crofter surprised the peddler? Why?
He peddler knocked at the crofters door for shelter. He expected that the crofter would show him sour face. But instead of showing him a sour face he welcomed him and received him happily. This act of the crofter surprised the peddler. 10 marks 'The Rattrap' is a story in which a good deed or an act of kindness changes a persons view of the world. Discuss with reference to the theme of the story. The Rattrap is an entertaining and philosophical story that reveals the theme of the human tendency to redeem oneself from dishonest ways. The tramp proves the idea that the essential goodness of human beings can be awakened through understanding and love. Circumstances had forced the peddler to indulge in petty crime. Even though he used to sell rattraps made from scrap metal, his poverty had brought out the worst in him, making him bitter and killing his conscience. The tramps view of the world was a cynical one; he envied those who were better off than him. He believed the world to be like a rattrap that offered temptations like shelter and food for entrapping victims. The peddler does not hesitate to steal the money from the crofter even though he enjoys his hospitality and warm welcome. Pangs of guilt trouble him when he loses his way in the forest. His bitter and hardened temperament receives a chance for repentance when he encounters the iron master and his daughter. The author brings about an effective twist in the story to show that innate goodness exists in all human beings. It takes a little love, understanding and an act of friendship to bring it to the fore. The iron masters daughter showed him sympathy, love and respect and restored his dignity and self-esteem. This touched a chord in the heart of the peddler who at once felt that he was no longer the nameless tramp that he had been all his life but somebody with an identity. Motivated by Edlas kindness, he redeemed himself by returning the stolen money and feeling sorry for his deed. How has the author of The Rattrap developed the theme of the story? The author, Selma Lagerl of, has used the 'rattrap' as a metaphor to develop the theme of the story. Almost all human beings find it hard to resist the temptations of the materialistic world and consciously fall into the trap. The world is a rattrap where human beings constantly fall prey to various baits kept for them. However, the author has brought across the idea that all human beings possess an essential goodness which can be tapped through love, compassion and understanding. An individual can redeem himself from dishonest ways if he makes an effort. The peddler of rattraps calls the world a big rattrap. The material benefits like riches and joys, shelter and food, heat and clothing are temptations that allure a person to fall into the rattrap. Once a person accepts the bait, he or she is trapped forever. The peddler gets tempted to steal the crofters money. Too afraid to move about in the open, he chooses to move through the woods. Later, it is the kind, sympathetic and generous treatment given to him by Edla and her father that helps him get transformed and free himself from the feelings of guilt and, later, from the rattrap itself forever. The rattrap becomes a symbol of worldly temptations and the peddler symbolizes mans efforts to keep them at bay. The story The Rattrap focuses on human loneliness and need to bond with others. Explain. The theme of loneliness runs throughout the story the rattrap. The peddler suffers from loneliness, the peddler has been wandering all alone and had met sour faces and got shabby treatment. His life was dull and disappointing. No one had ever cared to share his poverty, suffering and agony. Everyone chased him away wherever he went, thus he lead a lonely and monotonous life.
Similarly, the crofter in the absence of a wife and children leads a lonely life. He yearns for company to break his loneliness. Thus when the peddler knocks at his door he receives him warmly. He is happy to get someone to talk to in his loneliness; He acts as a generous host and offers him shelter, porridge for supper and tobacco to smoke a pipe. , He plays a game of cards with his guest. Even the well to do ironmaster and his daughter Edla, too misses a company particularly on the Christmas Eve. The iron master takes the peddler home. Both the father and the daughter are happy and united to play host to the peddler. Their guest provides the man opportunity to show their Christmas kindness and hospitality. Thus all the characters leads lead a lonely life and feel the need to bond with others. How can we transform and clean an evil doing person. Give examples from the Story Rattrap. Or The rattrap Express the universal theme highlighted by the author in the Story. Or How did the line of thought bring a change in the life of the rattrap peddler? The author, Selma Lagerlof has highlighted a universal theme in this story. It is that we can arouse the goodness in the life of a man by love, understanding, sympathy and respect. Once upon a time there was a man who went around selling self-made small rattraps of wire. His condition was too miserable to beg and do petty things. One day he thought that the whole world around him was a big trap. It offered riches, joys, food, shelter and clothing like a bait offering cheese and pork in a rattrap for the rats. Those who were tempted to touch the bait, it closed on them bringing an end to everything. One dark evening he stayed at crofters cottage, he was given food and shelter. But the next morning he stole thirty kronor from there. The he kept on walking all day long on the same path in the forest. On hearing the sound of hammer strokes, he reached the iron mill and lay near the surface. The ironmaster mistook him to be his old acquaintance and invited him for Christmas cheer but he refused. He sent his daughter, Edla who persuaded him to their house. After him well dressed, the from master found that he mistook him. So he ordered him to get out at once. The young girl wanted him to stay as they promised him Christmas cheer. He was treated like real captain with food. In their absence when they were at the church he left at the church they learnt the rattrap seller had robbed the old crofter. So they became worried. When they returned they found that the stranger had taken nothing with him and left behind a Christmas gift for Edla. She found a small rattrap thirty kronor and a letter in it. The letter stated that she had taken him as if he were a captain, so he would be nice to her as a captain. It had given him power to cleanse himself. How does the metaphor of the rattrap serve to highlight the human predicament? The author Selma Lagerlof tells a universal theme through all her stories. One can not imagine how dull and sad a vagabond might be walking slowly along the roads for his bread. The metaphor of the rattrap struck on one such occasion. He was plodding along the road, duly lost in his own meditations. The whole world about him- the whole world with its lands, seas, cities and villages was nothing but a big rattrap. The world had never existed for any other purpose than to set baits for people to trap them. The world offered riches, joys, food, shelter and clothing like a bait offering cheese and pork in a rattrap for the rats. As soon as anyone is tempted and he to touches the bait, it closes on him and then everything came to an end for him in life. Like the poor rattrap seller, people get tempted to the pouch baits hung on the window frame, break the window
pane and steal the kronor. For self-temptation people like the peddler dont want to undeceive others about themselves. The touching of the bait always makes people realize that they are caught in the world rattrap now. It is their turn now, they must stop cherish it as their pastime of thinking about the known who get trapped and others who ware circling around the trap. They must rise above the baits and shun evil doings like Captain Von Stahle.